The 2024 Chinese Grand Prix was full of drama, but the biggest talking point was the disqualification of Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, and Pierre Gasly. The disqualifications revolved around critical regulatory breaches related to car weight and plank wear. This article explores the reasons behind their exclusions and whether Ferrari faces a deeper problem with their SF-25.
Understanding the Disqualifications
Leclerc and Gasly’s Underweight Issue
Leclerc and Gasly were disqualified because their cars were 1kg under the minimum 800kg weight requirement after the race. This happened after the FIA conducted post-race scrutineering, where all fuel was drained from the cars. The key factor? Tyre wear.
- How does tyre wear affect car weight?
- A new set of Pirelli slicks weighs 48kg.
- After a 20-lap stint, tyres can lose up to 10% of their weight.
- In a race where stints extended over 40 laps, the tyres could have lost 8-10kg in total.
- This drop in weight led to both cars falling below the minimum weight limit.
With no margin for error in the regulations, both drivers were disqualified despite the unintentional nature of the weight reduction.
Hamilton’s Underbody Plank Violation
Hamilton’s disqualification was due to excessive wear on the underbody plank, which had eroded beyond the permitted 9mm minimum thickness. This was a repeat of his and Leclerc’s 2023 United States Grand Prix disqualification.
- Why did Hamilton’s plank wear excessively?
- Hamilton ran a two-stop strategy, meaning his final stint was only 19 laps.
- Even early in the race, his car was sparking excessively on the straights, indicating a low ride height.
- The Ferrari SF-25’s unique design choices may have exacerbated the issue.
Does Ferrari Have an SF-25 Problem?
Ferrari’s SF-25 has shown impressive speed, but its design philosophy could be causing unexpected plank wear.
Aerodynamic and Suspension Setup
- Rake Concept
- Ferrari appears to run a slightly higher rear ride height than its competitors.
- A higher rake can enhance aerodynamic performance but may lead to excessive plank wear at high speeds.
- Cockpit Position and Gearbox Length
- The SF-25’s cockpit was moved further back for better airflow.
- To compensate, Ferrari shortened the gearbox casing by 5cm.
- This results in more significant ride height fluctuations, increasing planking wear.
- Soft Rear Suspension
- The SF-25 features a relatively soft rear suspension compared to rivals.
- This helps with mechanical grip in slow corners but might cause excessive rear squat at high speeds, leading to ground contact.
Could Setup Changes Have Played a Role?
Hamilton made a setup change between the Sprint and the Grand Prix, which he said destroyed the car’s balance. This suggests he may have lowered the ride height, inadvertently increasing plank wear.
Leclerc, despite having front wing damage, was notably faster. Did he run a different setup that preserved balance but contributed to excessive wear?
Why Teams Take Weight and Ride Height Risks
Formula 1 is a sport of fine margins. Teams optimize weight and ride height for performance while staying within regulations.
- Weight Considerations
- Adding an extra 5kg to the car could cost 0.195s per lap.
- Over 56 laps, this translates to an 11-second time loss.
- In a tight field, teams are reluctant to be too conservative.
- Ride Height Optimization
- The lower the car, the more downforce is generated.
- However, lower ride heights risk violating plank wear regulations.
Could Ferrari Be in Trouble for Future Races?
If Ferrari’s fundamental SF-25 design is causing excessive plank wear, they may need to adjust ride heights and suspension settings. This could impact their competitiveness in future races.
Potential Solutions
- Adjusting the ride height: A higher ride height may prevent plank wear but could reduce aerodynamic efficiency.
- Reassessing suspension stiffness: A stiffer setup might prevent excessive compression, but could hurt grip in slow corners.
- Fine-tuning ballast placement: Ensuring the car meets the weight limit under all conditions without excessive conservatism.
Final Thoughts
The disqualifications of Leclerc, Hamilton, and Gasly were due to the razor-thin margins F1 teams operate within. For Ferrari, the SF-25’s design choices may be leading to unexpected plank wear, which could pose challenges in future races. With the championship battle heating up, Ferrari must find a balance between performance and reliability to avoid similar penalties moving forward.
Where to Watch F1 Next?
Fans can catch all upcoming Formula 1 races live on:
- ESPN (USA)
- Sky Sports F1 (UK)
- F1TV Pro (Global)
- Fox Sports (Australia)
Stay tuned for more updates as the 2024 Formula 1 season continues